10 Meetups Around ADD And Treatment You Should Attend
ADD and Treatment
ADD and its treatment are frequently related to issues at school, work, or at home. The psychiatric illness is often difficult to identify and manage.
The psychiatric condition is commonly known as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD. Mental health professionals utilize the SPECT brain imaging method to determine ADHD.
Symptoms include being easily distracted, forgetful and unorganized. The use of stimulants and antidepressants may help.
Limbic ADD
The most common form of ADD, also known as classic ADD or hyperactive-impulsive ADD, is characterized by inattention, a lack of organizational skills, difficulty staying on task, and trouble with memory. Scans of the brain show those suffering from this condition have normal activity in the prefrontal cortex at rest and during concentration, but reduced activity in the cerebellum and basal ganglia, which are responsible for the production of dopamine, which is a neurotransmitter that enhances focus, motivation and a sense of calm. This type has a limited attention span, is easily distracted by sounds or other stimuli and has a hard time shifting focus. They also have difficulty falling asleep and are often woken up in the middle of the night with nightmares or anxiety. They are often overwhelmed by their emotions and have a short fuse, becoming quickly annoyed by tasks and easily angry.
Ring of Fire ADD is characterized by all the classic ADD symptoms however, it also has difficulties in shifting their focus between thoughts and between tasks. They are sensitive to light, noise, and touch. They talk too quickly and are indecisive. They experience periods of depression and low energy levels, are quick to anger, and get stuck on negative thoughts and guilty feelings.
Limbic ADD can be confused with depression, however it is distinct from depression in that it causes increased activity in the limbic region of the brain (the brain region that sets our emotional tone and regulates how happy or sad we feel) and reduces activity in the prefrontal cortex both rest and during concentration. It can be treated by supplements like L tryptophan (5-HTP), saffron and inositol which increase alertness, mood and mental clarity. Amino acid GABA can also help slow neural activity, preventing nerve cells from firing erratically or in excess.
It is important to differentiate between ADD and mood disorders such as Bipolar Disorder, which can cause frustration and irritability as well as low self-esteem. The difference is that ADD with Limbic Symptoms is more prone to constant anger and frustration over time, while Bipolar Disorder symptoms tend to manifest in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Over-focused ADD patients tend to get caught up in negative thoughts and behaviors which trigger excessive worrying. This is due to rigid behavior that is similar to those who suffer from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). They can be angry when requested to switch their focus between different activities, and they may react with oppositional or argumentative behavior.
These people are likely to have a short fuse, with their irritability coming from a chronic depression or low-grade sadness "glass half-empty syndrome," and frequently feeling hopeless and a sense of worthlessness. They may also struggle with memory issues, experience extreme anger, and may have a short fuse.
People with overfocused ADD can be rigid when it comes to changing tasks and may become absorbed in their hobbies or work. They are more likely to miss deadlines at work and forgetting appointments at home, and they might not finish tasks or school assignments. They may also be extremely stubborn and resentful when reprimanded by their teachers or parents.
Children who have overfocused ADD exhibit a high level of irritability and stubbornness and are prone to throwing inconsolable tantrums when their interests are violated. They may be obsessed with a particular activity like video games, toys, and toys. They also have difficulty expressing their feelings, and can be extremely sensitive to criticism or rejection.
This type of ADD is more prevalent among children, and can be difficult to diagnose. The majority of children don't understand the cause of their condition. It's due to their inability to shift their focus between different things. It is essential to talk to a professional as these children are more likely to be misdiagnosed with ADD. This kind of ADD is usually treated using diet changes, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Sometimes, medications are prescribed, however this kind of ADD is difficult to treat using stimulant drugs, since they can boost a person's level of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging can be used to differentiate between the seven kinds of ADD. It is especially useful in diagnosing hyperfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people suffering from ADD have high levels of anxiety. This is a comorbidity (having more than one disorder simultaneously) is common, affecting up to half of all people suffering from ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can mimic the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. Misdiagnosis may lead to inappropriate treatment and anger.
Anxious ADD can cause problems with school, work and social situations. This type of ADD can lead to underachievement and feelings of inadequacy. People who suffer from anxiety ADD avoid difficult tasks or activities because they are afraid they won't be successful.
They also fear being judged or being judged. This is why they often hide their troubles from their peers. These people can be so stressed and anxious that they suffer from panic attacks. They can be extremely severe and life-threatening, causing sweating, a pounding heart and breathing problems. Contrary to Classic ADD, those with Anxious ADD are more active in their basal ganglia and the amygdala, which operate on an instinctual basis and place a high priority on safety. This shuts down PFC and can make it difficult for people with this disorder to focus.
If someone with ADHD or ADD has anxiety the symptoms are typically more difficult to manage than those of someone who does not suffer from anxiety. This is due to treatment programs for ADD/ADHD, that are designed to increase brain activity, may actually increase anxiety among those with anxious ADD.
Amen Clinic psychiatrists employ functional neuroimaging such as SPECT scans in order to determine which areas of the brain have high and/or lower levels of activity are present. This allows them to distinguish between the seven types of brain and determine the best treatment.
To diagnose ADD/ADHD, a psychiatrist gathers a complete medical history and performs a physical exam. He or she might also inquire about mood and behavior in order to evaluate the patient's overall functioning. Sometimes, medications are used to treat ADD/ADHD. However, in most cases patients also need other therapies, such as cognitive behavior therapy and exercise, nutrition, sleep strategies and desensitization. This can aid in improving their ability to manage their emotions and improve their overall function.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This kind of ADD involves the temporal lobe in the brain which is responsible for memory and mood. This type of ADD is manifested by a lack of learning and keeping information in memory as well as mood instability and extreme anger or aggression issues. They also suffer from various sensory issues, such as feeling like they've experienced deja vu or seeing shadows or objects change forms and hearing sounds that others don't. They tend to be sensitive and angry, and often become overstimulated by certain activities, such as computer screens or crowds.
Symptoms of this type of ADD are similar to those in Classic ADD, including short attention spans disorganization, difficulty in following directions or staying focused, and procrastinating. However, this kind of ADD doesn't cause impulsivity or hyperactivity. adhd adult treatment iampsychiatry of ADD is more common in females. People suffering from this kind of ADD may suffer from low levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine which can cause feelings of depression and low self-regulation. The symptoms can include sleep problems and feelings of irritability or anxiety.
In this instance QEEG scans of the ADD brain show that those with Overfocused ADD are experiencing difficulties shifting gears. They show normal activity in the anterior cingulate region (the brain's "gearshifter"). They are unable to move from one thought or task to another and get stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors.
This is a type of ADD in which people are extremely motivated and hardworking but tend not to pay attention to important tasks. They can lose track of their school work and teachers or parents are often tired or ashamed of their behavior. They may have a difficult relationship with others due to their tendency to be unpredictable or reactive and have difficulty managing multiple tasks or working with other people. In certain situations, they can be depressed or anxious. They are susceptible to panic attacks and are susceptible to hallucinations. Medications are not usually recommended for this type of ADD as it doesn't treat the root of the symptoms.